Bingo is a lottery-style game played on cards with pre-set numbers arranged randomly in a grid. The goal is to complete a pattern — such as a line, four corners, or blackout — to win prizes or take the main jackpot, which depends on the number of players and the buy-in.
Online bingo follows the same basic rules. Some versions add features like progressive jackpots and auto-daub to help you manage multiple cards. Instead of a live caller, numbers are drawn by software using an RNG (random number generator) to keep things fair.
Up next is a full breakdown of how to play bingo — what to expect, game types, and everything else you need to get started.
How to play traditional bingo?
Traditional bingo in the U.S. and Canada is usually played in bingo halls, community centers, or charity venues, with the 75-ball version being the most common format.
Before the round starts, you can buy bingo cards. There’s no hard cap, but most people stick to just a few. Every card has to be marked by hand, so buying too many makes it tough to keep up. Cards typically cost between $0.50 and $1.00, with some special or jackpot rounds charging $1 to $5 extra per card.
In 75-ball bingo, each card features a 5×5 grid labeled B-I-N-G-O across the top. Under each letter is a set of numbers: B covers 1–15, I covers 16–30, and so on. The center square is a free space and helps form winning patterns.
The caller pulls numbers at random — “B-27” or “G-53,” for example — and announces them live. These numbers are also displayed on a large board near the front so everyone can follow along and mark off matches using a dabber, chip, or pen. This is especially helpful when playing multiple cards, as missing a single call could cost you a win.
The game continues until someone completes the required pattern, with standard examples being a full vertical, horizontal, or diagonal line. Some games also award early wins on the way to a blackout — like corners, X patterns, or Crazy T.
When you hit a pattern, you must yell, “Bingo!” right away. That pauses the game and brings a floor worker over to check your card. If everything checks out, you get the prize — money, free cards, discounts, or whatever’s in the pot.
If two or more players hit bingo on the same number, it’s considered a ‘simultaneous win.’ They split the prize evenly — it doesn’t matter who called it first.
Tips for winning at bingo halls
Bingo is a game of pure luck. Once you’ve picked your cards, the rest is out of your hands. Still, a bit of preparation goes a long way in making sure you don’t miss the called numbers. Read our bingo tips or consider the following to help you stay focused and maximize each session:
- Sit close to the caller and screen: The closer you are to the front, the easier it is to see and hear every number. You don’t want to be second-guessing because the sound cut out or you caught the end of a call. In packed or noisy halls, even a one-second delay can throw you off, especially if you’re running five or more cards.
- Use a bold dabber and smart card layout: High-contrast markers like neon blue, green, or orange make it easier to spot hits as they land. You want your eyes to pick up marked numbers instantly. If you’re playing with six or more cards, group similar layouts together and place them in clear rows. Don’t scatter them; zigzagging across your space wastes time and energy.
- Play low-traffic sessions when possible: Games with fewer players mean better odds. Mornings, weekdays, or “early bird” rounds usually draw fewer people. Look for sessions that offer multiple ways to win, like line, two lines, or full house, so there are more chances to win per round.
- Use soft-skip focus for multi-card play: It’s tough to track every card evenly if you’re running a big spread. Prioritize the active cards with more hits around the free space. Let the weaker cards hang in your peripheral vision and only return to them if there’s time.
Different types of bingo
Bingo comes in a few core formats, each with its own rules, pace, and payout structure. Here’s how they break down:
90-ball bingo
This one’s the most popular globally, being the default in the UK, Australia, and most of Europe. The card is divided into nine columns and three rows, with 15 numbers spread across. Numbers run from 1 to 90. Each game pays in three stages — one line, two lines, and full house (blackout) — where each can be awarded to a different player. Rounds take longer than most other formats, but payouts are usually bigger.
80-ball bingo
This format was built for online play. It runs on a 4×4 grid with numbers from 1 to 80. Each column features its own number range and color, which makes it easier to scan. Wins are based on fixed patterns — full cards, lines, corners, or diagonals. Most sites let you play multiple cards, and the auto-daub tool handles the tracking.
75-ball bingo
Most common in the U.S. and Canada, this version uses a 5×5 grid with 24 numbers and one free space in the center. Each column sticks to a number range (B = 1–15, I = 16–30, etc.). Before the game starts, the pattern is announced — it might be a line, four corners, blackout, or something else. Some rooms add bonus patterns or extra prizes. Game time depends on how complex the pattern is.
30-ball bingo
Known as speed bingo, this is the fastest format out there. It uses a 3×3 grid with nine numbers and no empty spaces. The only win condition is a full card — no lines or shapes, just a blackout. Most sessions last under a minute, with only one winner per game.
Jackpot bingo
Jackpots appear in 75-ball, 80-ball, and 90-ball formats. To trigger them, you must complete a full card in a set number of calls, like hitting a full house in 43 numbers or less. Most jackpots are progressive and grow with each card sold. Depending on the casino, they can be standalone (one room), local (shared across rooms on a single platform), or networked (linked across multiple sites).
How to play bingo online
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to help you get started with online bingo, from sign-up to your first game.
- Sign up at a casino that offers bingo: If the casino runs a bingo room on the side, you don’t need a separate account. These platforms use a shared wallet, so the same balance works across games. During sign-up, you’ll enter basic info like your name, date of birth, and address.
- Verify your account: Most sites will ask you to confirm your email or phone number right after registering. Some may also request KYC verification, like uploading your ID or a utility bill, before allowing redemptions.
- Claim a no-deposit bonus or make a deposit: Some casinos offer demo play or no-deposit bonuses that work in bingo rooms. If that’s not an option, you must fund your account to buy cards and enter rounds.
- Enter a bingo room and buy cards: Games launch every few minutes. Once inside the bingo lobby, pick a room, choose your screen name, and decide how many cards to buy. On some sites, you can join multiple bingo rooms simultaneously and toggle between them as you play.
- Watch as the game auto-daubs your cards: Online bingo tracks everything for you. By default, it automatically daubs called numbers across all your cards. You can switch to manual if you want, but either way, the software logs every hit in real time.
- Your best cards stay front and center: As the game progresses, your top-performing cards remain visible on-screen. If you hit the winning pattern like a line, corners, or full house, you’ll see a win notice on the screen. If another player beats you to it, that shows up, too.
No need to worry about missing a number, as online bingo platforms handle all tracking in the background. You won’t be deprived of a win even if you play manually and miss a call. The system still credits the prize if one of your cards qualifies.
Features of online bingo
Online bingo is a whole different ball game compared to traditional halls. The digital format opens up more options and flexibility. You can play more cards per round, enter with lower stakes, rely on automated tools, and explore bonus features that add exciting new ways to win. Below are some key features shaping how online bingo plays.
Multiple cards
In land-based bingo, most players can only follow a handful of cards. Online bingo expands that limit significantly. On platforms like those powered by Playtech’s Virtue Fusion software, you can play with up to 120 cards in a single game. The software auto-daubs your numbers and keeps your best-performing cards front and center.
Low stakes
Most online bingo games start with affordable entry points; cards can cost as little as five cents. Some games are even free to enter, with small prizes attached. This makes it easier to join multiple rounds, even on a tight budget.
Bonus features
Many online bingo platforms add bonus features that tweak the usual game flow. Some add power-ups like wild numbers or boosted multipliers. Others include mini-games, prize wheels, or second-chance draws after the main round ends. These add-ons are usually random, but they can change the momentum of a session, especially in tournament play, where they impact leaderboard positions.
Extra ball purchase
In some formats, you can buy extra balls at the end of the round. This usually happens when you’re just one number away from completing a pattern. The cost is fixed per ball, so you must weigh up whether the potential reward is worth the additional cost.
Social element
Online bingo may not feel the same as the traditional game, but it still fosters a sense of community. Most rooms run a live chat during games, with the host calling out wins, chatting with players, and maybe throwing in quick side games offering bonuses. The more active the room, the more it feels like a real group, especially when you repeatedly see familiar names pop up.
Is online bingo as fair as traditional bingo?
Yes, online bingo is fair as long as you play on a licensed platform. Regulated bingo sites use random number generator (RNG) systems to draw numbers, and those mechanisms are tested and certified by independent labs like iTech Labs, eCOGRA, or GLI.
It’s important to note that fairness testing is done at the software provider level — not at the casino. Bingo game makers like Playtech, Pragmatic Play, or Gamesys develop the platforms and RNG systems that operators use. The RNGs go through lab audits to confirm that:
- Numbers are evenly distributed and statistically unbiased.
- No patterns or inequalities exist in the drawing process.
- The system can’t be manipulated and is fully secure.
Once certified, the RNG engine is implemented by licensed bingo sites, which are regularly checked to ensure the code hasn’t been altered. Regulators such as the UK Gambling Commission require regular audits, system checks, and log reviews to ensure ongoing transparency.
If something about a round feels off, the entire session can be pulled from the logs and reviewed. That gives online bingo players more recourse than their counterparts in a physical bingo hall. With proper licensing, online bingo offers the same level of fairness and often more oversight than in-person games.
For comparison, traditional bingo uses machine-driven air to spin balls, and the draw happens live in the front of the room. The balls are designed to be uniform in size and weight to prevent bias. It’s transparent, but there’s no audit trail. Once it’s over, it’s over. You can’t rewind or check anything.
RTP in online bingo: How it works
Online bingo doesn’t run on a fixed RTP the way slots do. There’s no hardcoded payout rate; instead, each round follows a dynamic RTP model based on ticket sales. If 200 players each buy a $0.50 ticket, the prize pool is $100. The operator takes a set cut, usually around 20%, while the remainder is distributed between the winners. That puts the effective RTP at 80% for that session.
The payout rate shifts from round to round, depending on how many players join and how much money is collected. Some bingo rooms run guaranteed prize pools, which can temporarily push the RTP over 100% if turnout is low and the operator has to cover the rest. But as more players buy in, the RTP can drop just as quickly.
Is Keno the same as online bingo?
Keno and online bingo both use number draws, but that’s where the similarities end. They’re built differently when it comes to gameplay, format, and how wins are decided. Below are the core distinctions that separate online bingo from keno.
- Player control: In keno, you choose the numbers you want to play. In online bingo, your cards come pre-filled — you aren’t able to pick.
- Game structure: Keno is a solo game. You play against the house, not other players. Bingo is multiplayer, with everyone in the room sharing the same draw and going for the same prize.
- Winning method: Keno pays based on how many of your chosen numbers hit. In bingo, you win by completing a pattern — namely a line, four corners, or blackout — before anyone else.
- Payout format: Keno uses a fixed-odds table with set payouts, more like a lottery. Bingo prize pools come from ticket sales and may be split among multiple winners.
- Pace and flow: Keno moves fast, often wrapping up in seconds. Bingo takes longer, especially in rooms with chat features, bonus rounds, or live hosts.
| Check out our keno strategy for more tips on how to win in this exciting casino game. |
Can I claim bingo bonuses?
Yes, bingo bonuses are available, but they’re usually kept separate from regular casino promos. When bingo is part of a casino site, offers are often split — one set for slots and tables, another just for bingo.
That said, you’ll still run into bingo-specific deals such as “deposit $10, get $10 to use in bingo rooms,” or you might be given a batch of free bingo tickets on signup. Most of these offers come with wagering requirements, so you’ll need to play through the bonus before you can cash out real money.
Sometimes, standard casino bonuses can be used on bingo, too. That’s because bingo is rarely excluded from wagering contributions. Unlike games like roulette, where you can hedge bets by covering both red and black, bingo doesn’t support any strategies that casinos typically flag as bonus abuse.
With RTP usually between 75% and 85%, bingo sits in the lower-risk category from the casino’s side, so they’re more flexible about letting bonus money roll through it. However, they are still sometimes ‘weighted’ down when you come to complete the turnover. We explain more about this in our wagering requirements guide.
Bingo calls: Number nicknames
In traditional 90-ball bingo, especially in the UK, each number from 1 to 90 often comes with a nickname, known as a bingo call. These phrases were first used to help players follow along in loud bingo halls while adding humor and rhythm to the game. Some calls rhyme, others play on pop culture or slang, and many have become iconic over time.
Here are a few of the most widely recognized:
| ★ 1: Kelly’s Eye | ★ 27: Duck and a Crutch |
| ★ 5: Man Alive | ★ 32: Buckle My Shoe |
| ★ 11: Legs Eleven | ★ 50: Half a Century |
| ★ 13: Unlucky for Some | ★ 66: Route 66 |
| ★ 17: Dancing Queen | ★ 88: Two Fat Ladies |
Conclusion
Bingo used to be a slow-paced game you’d find at charity nights or senior centers. Now it’s faster and easier to play when doing so online — no dabbers, no folding chairs, no waiting around. The transition has streamlined gameplay and introduced more ways to win, helping online bingo appeal to a much broader audience. But even if the format has changed, the charm hasn’t gone anywhere.
It’s not a game that sharp casino grinders chase for profit, however — the RTP isn’t high, and there’s no real edge to find. But online bingo still checks all the right boxes if you’re looking for something light, social, and nostalgic, while jackpot bingo games can still see you win big.
